Former England forward Wayne Rooney has opened up about the intense backlash he experienced when he made the highly publicised switch from Everton to Manchester United in 2004. Speaking on the latest episode of BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Premier League star described how difficult the transition was for him and his family.
Rooney Reflects on Leaving His Boyhood Club
At just 18 years old, Rooney made a £27m move to Manchester United after declining a record contract offer from Everton. While the transfer shaped his legendary career, Rooney says the reaction from some supporters became extremely hostile.
Rooney explained that he and his family received threatening messages, and both his parents’ and girlfriend’s homes were targeted with vandalism.
“It was really tough. You need to be mentally strong, and the people around you matter,” Rooney said.
He added that the move was made even more difficult because of the historic rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester, but he remained focused on pursuing what he believed was right for his career:
“I knew what I wanted. You have to be selfish sometimes and make those decisions even when they’re hard.”
Despite the backlash, Rooney insisted he never doubted the direction he wanted to take, and the transfer went on to become one of the most defining moments of his footballing journey.
The Pressure on Young Players Today
Rooney also discussed how the environment surrounding young footballers has changed drastically with the rise of social media.
When he joined Manchester United, public scrutiny was strong—but it was limited to newspapers and TV. Now, Rooney says young players, including his own son Kai Rooney, face a far wider and more intense online audience.
“There are millions of people watching everything young players do,” he said. “They’re judged instantly, sometimes unfairly. That’s why having the right support system is so important.”
Kai, who currently plays in Manchester United’s academy, has already gained sponsorships and a large online following. Rooney emphasized the importance of keeping young athletes grounded amid rapid digital attention.
Rooney on Writing to Duncan Ferguson as a Child
In another surprising revelation, Rooney shared a story from his childhood about writing letters to Everton legend Duncan Ferguson, who at the time was serving a short jail sentence for an incident earlier in his career.
Rooney said the two exchanged letters, with Ferguson replying to show appreciation.
This connection grew once Rooney joined Everton’s academy. He recalled how Ferguson would sometimes give him lifts home from training, a surreal experience for the young football fan whose family idolised the Scottish striker.
A Look Back at Rooney’s Journey
Rooney went on to enjoy a remarkable career at Manchester United, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer, winning multiple Premier League titles, the Champions League, and captaining England.
The challenges he faced early on, he said, shaped the resilience he carried throughout his career.
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